PeeWee AA – Alliance 2, Lafayette 0:  The Bulldogs took an early 2-0 lead in Game 3, and then relied on tough defense and good goaltending to earn a spot in the in the Championship Game of the Texoma Playoffs in Valley Ranch on Sunday morning.   Despite intense efforts by both teams, the goalies were denying everything during the final 2 frames, as Alliance gained the shutout victory.

 

Saturday, March 4, 2005

 

PeeWee AA – Alliance 7, Hitmen 3:  The Bulldogs decided to get the scoring going quickly in this game as they scored :24 seconds after the opening face off in Game 2 of the Texoma Playoffs in Valley Ranch on Saturday afternoon.    After starting 30 minutes late due to lighting issues at the rink, Alliance left no doubt they are the team to beat this weekend, as the Regular Season Champs came out flying, and would get another goal late in the 1st period to go up 2-0 after one period.  

 

The second period would prove to be an offensive outburst for both teams as they combined for 8 second period goals.  Houston got the first goal of the 2nd period to close the Bulldogs lead to 3-1.   But the Dogs would score 4 goals in 4 minutes to go up 7-1.   Houston fought back with 2 goals in the last 5 minutes of the second to close the Dogs lead to 7-3.  

 

Both teams played hard in the third, but must have used up all of their goal scoring in the 2nd period, as the 3rd period went scoreless for both teams and Alliance ended up winning by the 7-3 margin.  The Bulldogs will finish preliminary play against the Lafayette Jr. Gators on Sunday morning, with an early drop of the puck at 7:15 am.

 

PeeWee AA – Alliance 3, Austin 2: Nothing like waiting to the last minute to catch fire, but that is what the Bulldogs did, literally, as they got the game tying and game winning goals in the final minute of play in Game 1 of the Texoma Playoffs in Valley Ranch on Saturday morning.    The Roadrunners from Austin got on the scoreboard first with a goal midway thru the 1st period and led 1-0 after one period of play.  Austin would score again with 12:23 remaining in the 2nd period to extend their lead to 2-0.   Alliance battled back and scored a goal with 2:32 remaining in the second to close the score to 2-1 after two periods.

 

Both teams battled the entire 3rd period and with one minute remaining in the game, Alliance pulled their goalie and added an extra attacker.  This strategy worked as Alliance scored a goal with :39 remaining to tie the game at 2-2.   Alliance then put their goalie back in net, and with :08 remaining in the game got a goal from a defenseman who had snuck his way in front of the net to give the Bulldogs and unbelievable come from behind win 3-2.   The Bulldogs will try to get their 2nd win this afternoon when they face the Houston Hitmen at 4:30 in Valley Ranch.

 

Friday, February 18, 2005 - Quebec International PeeWee Championships

 

PeeWee AA – Alliance 4, Winnepeg 2: In their final "Friendship" game in Quebec, the Bulldogs got on the scoreboard first with a goal at 3:45 remaining in the 1st period to take a 1-0 lead. The North Stars would come back with a score to tie the game at 1-1 at 1:52 remaining in the 1st period.  Alliance would take the lead again at 12:10 of the 2nd and then expand on their lead to 3-1 with a 2 on 1 odd man rush with 6:35 remaining in the 2nd.  The Stars closed the gap to 3-2 early in the 3rd, put Alliance would capitalize again with a breakaway goal with 5:50 remaining in the game to go up 4-2, and that would end up being the final score.

 

After a busy 9 days in Quebec, the boys will get to sleep in on Saturday, and then they will all go to an area that features pond hockey and snow skiing for a day of fun before heading back to Dallas on Sunday.

 

PeeWee AA – St. Louis Jr. Blues AAA 6, Alliance 0:  The Bulldogs started the game with a lot of energy and speed, and kept the game scoreless through the first period.   It stayed that way until midway into the 2nd period, when the Blues scored an even strength goal with 5:28 remaining in the 2nd for a 1-0 lead. The Blues, who are in 2nd Place of the Mid America AAA League with an 18-2-1 record,  would get another goal on a 4 on 4 with 2:03 remaining in the 2nd period to go up 2-0.  The Bulldogs continued to battle, but the AAA Blues, who are coached by NHL player Al MacInnis, would prove to be too much for the Bulldogs as they score four 3rd period goals (two on power plays) and beat the Bulldogs 6-0.

 

Thursday, February 18, 2005 - Quebec International PeeWee Championships

 

PeeWee AA – Alliance 5, Team England 1:  After being eliminated from the Main Draw of the Quebec International Pee-Wee hockey Tournament, the Bulldogs continue to play hockey, this time another “Friendship" game against Team England.   They will continue playing on Friday, as they will face the St. Louis Jr. Blues AAA team, coached by NHL St. Louis Blues defenseman Al McGinnis, friend and former teammate of Alliance Assistant Coach Pierre Turgeon.

 

Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - Quebec International PeeWee Championships

 

PeeWee AA – New Hampshire Bauer 3, Alliance 1:  After falling behind 3-0, the Bulldogs mounted a 3rd period comeback attempt, but were only able to tally the one goal, and were eliminated from the 46th Quebec International Pee-Wee hockey Tournament in their second round game.  The Bulldogs will continue to play hockey, though, as they get another "Friendship" game on Thursday at 10:00am EST.

 

Monday, February 14, 2005 - Quebec International PeeWee Championships

 

PeeWee AA – Alliance 7, Chaudiere-Ouest 0:  After 2 tough “Friendship" games against top Quebec competition, the Bulldogs came ready to play when the real games started, as they swept past the Huskies of the Association de Hockey Mineur Chaudiere-Ouest in Round 1 of the 46th Quebec International Pee-Wee hockey Tournament.   The Bulldogs will next face New Hampshire Bauer, a 5-2 winner over Moose Jaw in the 1st Round on Wednesday at 8:30pm EST. 

 

In between on Tuesday, the boys from Alliance will get a look at Major Junior Hockey, as they will attend the Quebec Major Junior League (QMJHL) game between the Québec Remparts and Rimouski Océanic.  Canadian teenage hockey sensation Sidney Crosby plays for Rimouski.

 

 

Sunday, February 13, 2005

 

PeeWee AA:  Quebec Northshore 7, Alliance 1:  Following a great day of fun playing real "Pond Hockey", the Bulldogs were back to "Rink Hockey" in another Friendship game on Sunday, before starting the real games on in the 46th Quebec International Pee-Wee hockey Tournament.  

 

The Bulldogs lost to the Quebec Northshore Governors AAA team, another one of the top French Canadian teams from Quebec.  Alliance will play their first official tournament game on Monday at 8:30pm EST against the Huskies of the Association de Hockey Mineur Chaudiere-Ouest.

 

Friday, February 11, 2005 - Quebec International PeeWee Championships

PeeWee AA:  St. Laurent 3, Alliance 2:  In a warm-up to the beginning of the big show, the Bulldogs played it close to the end, but the French Canadians from Montreal pulled one out of the bag with only 3 seconds remaining for the win in a "Friendship" game Friday afternoon.  Saturday it's off to some real pond hockey for the Bulldogs, then another Friendship game Sunday before starting the real games on Monday in the 46th Quebec International Pee-Wee hockey Tournament 2005.

The PeeWee AA team is off to Northeast Canada for the 46th Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament 2005, February 10th to 20th at the Quebec Pepsi Coliseum.

This tournament is billed as the most important minor hockey tournament in the world, grouping young hockey players (11 and 12 years old).  Approximately 2,300 young hockey players from 16 countries come to Québec to participate to the "World Championships Pee-Wee Hockey" each year.

This Tournament occurs during a period of 11 days and totalizes crowds of around 200,000 fans every year.  This extraordinary event, very popular, was founded in 1960 and has never ceased to grow in importance.

Many stars from the National Hockey League have passed through this Tournament: Brad Park, Guy Lafleur, Marcel Dionne, Gilbert Perrault, Mark Howe, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Sylvain Côté, Eric Lindros, and many more.

The Bulldogs’ first official game in this prestigious event will be on Monday night February 14^th at 8:30pm EST against the Huskies of the Association de Hockey Mineur Chaudiere-Ouest.  If you can read French, feel free to browse their web site!  They will actually start off with an exhibition or "Friendship" game tonight, facing St. Laurent of Montreal.

Tentative itinerary while in Quebec:

 

 

Sunday, February 6, 2005 - Tier I U12 State Championships

PeeWee AA: Ice Jets 3, Alliance 2:   In this Championship Game of the U12 Tier II State Tournament, it would come down to a rematch of that first round barn-burner between these 2 teams to determine the Texas representative to the Tier II U12 Rocky Mountain District Championships in Phoenix next month.  With the memory of that last minute comeback by the Ice Jets in Game 1, the Bulldogs wanted to establish that they had gotten over the sting. 

Alliance got on the board first with a goal with 11:11 remaining in the 1st period.   However, the Ice Jets came right back and tied the game 1-1 with 9:29 remaining.  Alliance would take the lead again at 2-1 on a goal with 3:29 remaining in the 1st period.  Once again, the Ice Jets fought back with a goal with :31 seconds remaining in the 1st period to get even at 2-2.

Both teams battled most of the 2nd period until the Ice Jets scored at 1:10 remaining in the 2nd to take their first lead at 3-2.   It would remain that way through the end of the 2nd frame, and the shots were even at 9-9.

Alliance came out of the lockerroom after the 2nd period and put constant pressure on the Ice Jets, but couldn't light the lamp.  With 4:14 remaining in the 3rd and the score still 3-2, the Ice Jets were called for a penalty and Alliance went on the power play.  With 17 seconds remaining on the first penalty and 2:31 remaining in the game, the Ice Jets got another penalty and gave Alliance a two man advantage for 17 seconds and a power play until the :31 second mark. Alliance kept the puck in the attack zone for almost the entire final 2:31, getting off numerous shots, but the Ice Jets and their goalie withstood the fury and held on to win 3-2. The shots in the final period were 10-3 in favor of Alliance, but they couldn't get one into the net.

Congratulations to the Ice Jets on winning the Texas State Championship and good luck in Phoenix at the Regionals.

PeeWee AA: Alliance 9, Austin 1:  (Game 3) Alliance needed a win or a tie against Austin to insure a spot in the Championship game and took control early in the game by scoring three first period goals and cruised to a 9-1 victory.

Saturday, February 5, 2005 - Tier I U12 State Championships

PeeWee AA: Alliance 4, Ice Jets 4:  (Game 1)  It appeared that Alliance would carry the momentum from a win here into the 2nd round of the U12 Tier II State Tournament, but with the Bulldogs leading 4-2 and only 39 seconds remaining in the game, the Ice Jets had other ideas of their own. The Jets would stun the Bulldogs with 2 goals in the final minute of play to gain a tie in this first round contest.

Alliance scored first with 10:23 remaining in the 1st for a 1-0 lead. The lead looked like it might hold for the 1st period, but the Ice Jets would give a hint of things to come later as they would score with only :37 remaining in the first to end the period at 1-1.   Alliance then re-took the lead again at 13:38 remaining in the 2nd, and then again at 4:17 to take a 3-1 lead into the lockerroom for a zam between periods.

The 3rd period went scoreless until 3:39 remaining when the Ice Jets scored on a powerplay to make it 3-2.  Alliance came back with a goal at 2:00 remaining to go back up by 2 at 4-2.   Both teams had penalties and played the last 1:30 at 4 on 4.  The Ice Jets scored at :49 to close the Alliance lead to 4-3, and then scored again at :09 to tie Alliance 4-4 in game 1.  The game would be a preview of a later game with significantly more meaning.

PeeWee AA: Alliance 7, Hitmen 3: (Game 2)   The Bulldogs would rebound from that last period against the Jets and come out against the Hitmen showing they were still a force to be dealt with in this State Tournament.  Alliance came out and scored on the first shift 17 seconds into the game to go up 1-0, and then hit paydirt again with 8:44 remaining in the 1st to go up 2-0.  Houston would get a late 1st period goal to close the Alliance lead to 2-1 after one period, but the Bulldogs would not allow them to hang close for long.

Alliance would score twice in the second period and Houston once as Alliance led 4-2 going into the lockerroom before the third period.   Houston got a goal that went off of an Alliance player's stick to cut the Alliance lead to 4-3 with 13:55 remaining in the third., and the game would go scoreless until the final 4 minutes when Alliance scored three times to win 7-3.   Alliance now needs a win or a tie Sunday morning against Austin to insure that they advance to the championship game in the afternoon.

Tuesday, February 1, 2005

 

PeeWee AA: Alliance 3, Stars Select 2:  The Bulldogs played the Dallas Junior Stars/Selects tonight in Valley Ranch for the right to be the Dallas representative for the U12 Tier II State Tournament that takes place this weekend.  In a really tight one that was scoreless after 2 periods of play, the Bulldogs fell behind 1-0 late in the game and appeared to be facing elimination from the State Tournament, when they caught fire and scored 2 goals in less than a minute and went on to advance to the State Tournament.

 

After going 0 for 2 on power plays in the first 2 periods and not being able to crack the Stars defense or big goalie, the Bulldogs were really scrambling to get that first goal that could mean the game.  In the 2nd period at the 11:40 mark, a Stars defenseman nearly did the trick for them when he went to ring the puck around the back of his own net and hit the post, surprising both the goalie and everyone else in attendance.  The close call may have startled the Stars momentarily, as they allowed the Bulldogs to score what appeared to be the game's first goal just over 2 minutes later.  The referee ruled, however, that the whistle had blown and disallowed the goal.  The 2nd period ended with the game still scoreless.

 

The Stars were outshot by the Bulldogs in the 2nd period, but in the 3rd, they stepped up their effort, and it paid off at the 8:57 mark when a nice play was made deep in the Alliance zone and a shot was lifted over the downed Bulldog netminder for the 1-0 lead.  The goal by the Stars seemed to get the Bulldogs awake, and they went on the attack, drawing another penalty, and went to work on the power play with 7:43 remaining.  It didn't take long for the man advantage to benefit the 'Dogs, as they got the tying goal only 25 seconds into the power play on a nice pass from behind the net, a shot, and a rebound for the 1-1 score.  The momentum was now shifting back to Alliance, and they rode it to their first lead of the night less than a minute later when another pass from behind the goal made its way onto the backhand of a Bulldog who slipped it between the pads of the Stars goalie to make it 2-1 at 6:24.

 

The tide was now rolling completely in favor of the Bulldogs, and they went to work on the man advantage again with 5:17 remaining.  This time, they made it 2 conversions in a row and 2 for 4 on the night as they extended their lead to 3-1 at the 4:14 mark with another power play goal, which they hoped would be only for insurance.  But those that have insurance know there are times it comes in handy, and that insurance goal would be quite handy tonight for the Bulldogs.  The Stars got a power play opportunity of their own at 3:22, and then just 20 seconds later, got another one for a 5 on 3 chance for 1:40.  The Stars peppered the Alliance goalie during the advantage, and although they didn't get credit for a power play goal, they did score just as the second penalty expired to make it 3-2 with 1:01 remaining.  With an empty net at one end, both teams scrambled the last minute and the Bulldogs were able to hold the lead for the win.

 

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

PeeWee AA - Alliance 5, DJHA 1:  The Alliance PeeWee AA team secured a spot in the final of the playoffs to determine the Dallas Section representative to the Tier II U12 State Tournament in 2 weeks by defeating the Penguins Tuesday night in Plano.  Along the way, they wrapped up the Regular Season Championship of the PeeWee AA Division in Texoma finishing with an 11-2-3 league mark.

The game appeared to be on course for a tight one, as both teams played fairly evenly in the 1^st period.  DJHA threatened to take the lead late though, as they had a 5 on 3 power play for the final 59 seconds of the period, but the Bulldog defense and net-minding was up to task.  With Alliance forwards blocking shots, defensemen clearing the puck, and the goalie freezing it when necessary, the period ended 0-0 with still a minute remaining of penalty kill time to start the 2^nd period.

 

Beginning the 2^nd period, the Bulldogs finished the penalties off, and then took control of the game by scoring on no less than half their shots in the period, netting 4 goals on only 8 shots during the frame.  After surviving a DJHA breakaway chance, Alliance turned it up ice the other way for a 2 on 2 that was converted at 12:08 when a Bulldog forward drove between the defensemen and got the puck to his partner for a goal and 1-0 lead.

 

Less than a minute later, Alliance got a 3 on 1 chance and made the Penguins pay for the 2-0 lead at 11:12 remaining.  The teams then traded odd-man rushes back and forth until the Bulldogs increased their lead to 3-0 at 5:35 on a nice pass from the goal line to the low slot that was nicely chipped in with a sand wedge over the downed goalie.  The Penguins would temporarily trim the lead to 3-1 on a nice move and shot at the 1:50 mark, but the Bulldogs would respond with just 23 seconds left in the period on a power play goal to take a 4-1 lead into the final period.  The shots were even at 8 each in the 2^nd period.

 

Alliance would get their second power play goal early in the 3^rd period, as with just 29 seconds left on the man advantage, the Bulldogs would collect a loose rebound in front and slip it past the downed Penguin goalie for the final goal of the game at 13:38 remaining.  The rest of the period was played mostly in the DJHA end, with the Penguins collecting 5 of their 6 shots in the period during the last 2 minutes of the game.

 

The Bulldogs now advance to face the winner of the Ice Jets-Stars game for the right to play in the State Tournament the weekend of February 5-6.  The next weekend, they will be off to the Quebec International PeeWee Championships February 11^th through 19^th.    

 

Sunday, January 24, 2005

 

PeeWee AA - Alliance 2, Houston Aeros 2:  The Alliance AA team did not have much time to regroup from the Gator loss, as they had to hit the ice shortly thereafter to face the other team close behind them in the PeeWee AA Division of the Texoma League.  The Aeros struck first for the 1-0 lead in the first period, and made that lead hold up for the remainder of the frame.   In the second period, the Bulldogs came back and tied it up at 1-1 on a power play goal, and the game went into the 3rd period still tied.   Alliance took their first lead of the game at 2-1 and appeared to be headed for the win, when the Aeros rallied late and tied it up on a power play goal to make the final score 2-2. 

 

Alliance comes home still in 1st Place in Texoma, but the gap is just a little bit tighter.  The Bulldogs will play their final regular season Texoma contest on Tuesday, as they will face DJHA again in Plano at 7:45pm.  This game will also serve as a State Tournament play-down game, with the winner advancing to face the winner of the Ice Jets-Stars game for the right to represent the Dallas Section in the State Tournament.

 

Monday, January 17, 2005

 

PeeWee AA - Alliance 3, Twin Bridges 2:  The Alliance AA team finished strong, winning its last 2 games, finishing with a 2-1-1 record, and captured 3rd Place in the PeeWee Red Division of the Texas Star Winter Classic Tournament.  They concluded by beating the Lightning, whom they had tied on Saturday 1-1 in a tough battle.

 

The Bulldogs took the lead in the 1st period, as they scored at even strength with 10:56 left in the period.  It appeared that lead would hold into the 2nd frame, but the Lightning got the tying goal with just 6 seconds remaining in the period, making it 1-1 at the end of one.  Alliance would take the lead again at 2-1 with just over 4 minutes left in the 2nd period, with their first of 2 shorthanded goals.  This time, they would hold the lead through the end of the period, and took the 2-1 margin into the 3rd period.

 

The Bulldogs would extend the lead to 3-1 with another shorthander just into the final period, making a comeback look very difficult for the Lightning against that Bulldog defense and goaltending.  Twin Bridges would get another one at the 6:56 mark to make it interesting, but the Bulldogs hung on for the win.

 

Sunday, January 16, 2005

 

PeeWee AA - Alliance 2, Colorado 1:  The Bulldogs got their first win of the tournament in exciting fashion, but it wasn't enough to get them into the finals of the Texas Star Winter Classic Tournament, as they will face the Twin Bridges Lightning of St. Louis again on Monday for 3rd Place in the Red Division. 

 

After a scoreless 1st period, the Bulldogs fell behind 1-0 late in the 2nd, but wouldn't let the period end with them behind, so they tied it up with just over a minute remaining in the period.  The game would stay 1-1 for what appeared to be the rest of the game, until Alliance stunned the Eagles with the game winning goal with only 25 seconds to go.

 

Saturday, January 15, 2005

 

PeeWee AA - Alliance 1, Twin Bridges 1:  The Alliance PeeWee AA team faced another tough opponent this afternoon at Valley Ranch, and almost came away with the victory, but had to settle for the tie as Twin Bridges got a power play goal to even it up in the 3^rd period. 

 

Alliance struck first when they got an even strength goal at 4:33 left in the 1st period when a breakaway lead to a juicy rebound that was put home for 1-0 lead.  The Bulldogs held on despite a feisty Lightning crew from St. Louis, and still led 1-0 going into the 3rd period. 

 

With good goaltending denying everyone an opportunity,  Twin Bridges took advantage of their power play.  With only 10 seconds left until the man advantage would be gone, the Lightning tied it on a rebound that escaped the Bulldog penalty killers at 10:09 left in the game.  Due to tie-breaking procedures and the tournament points system, the Alliance coaching staff would pull the goalie with 32 seconds remaining and a power play opportunity.  Twin Bridges was able to ice the puck, and just missed getting an empty netter for the win.  Alliance out-shot the Lightning 26 to 17 for the game.

 

PeeWee AA - Nanaimo 2, Alliance 1:  The Bulldogs faced a Canadian opponent in this 1^st Round tilt of the Texas Star Winter Classic Tournament in Euless, and learned they play it just a little bit differently up in that part of North America.  

 

Playing like they have played since they were born (they have), the Clippers played team hockey, used the pass effectively, and denied the Bulldogs any easy chances.  Alliance made it a game though, and with a shorthanded goal in the 2nd to tie the game at 1-1, it looked like it would be a barn burner.  The Clippers would take the lead again shortly thereafter, and the rest of the game would be scoreless.  All 3 goals were scored in the 3rd period, and the shots were basically even at Alliance 17, Clippers 16.

 

Sunday, December 19, 2004

PeeWee AA - Alliance 6, Hitmen 1:  The Alliance PeeWee AA made it a complete sweep for the weekend in the PeeWee AA Division of the Texoma League with another win against Houston Sunday at Valley Ranch.  The Bulldogs controlled play from the start and received another fine goaltending performance.  During the 2 game series, Alliance got balanced scoring, getting goals from players not typically leading the team in scoring. 

The 'Dogs take their break for Christmas with a 1st Place record of 9-1-2 in Texoma, and an overall record of 15-7-2.  The PeeWee AA is planning on playing some "Friendship" games over the Christmas break, so stay tuned to the Alliance web site for information about who they will play, when, and where.

Saturday, December 18, 2004

 

Friday, December 10, 2004

This weekend, the PeeWee AA team is not playing any games, and rests on top of the PeeWee AA Division of the Texoma League with an impressive 7-1-2 mark and a 13-7-2 overall season record.  They will begin play again this coming Wednesday when they face the Penguins of DJHA at Valley Ranch at 6:15 PM.   The Bulldogs beat DJHA last weekend in Texoma play 4-1, and beat Lafayette as well by the same 4-1 score.  They tied Austin 2-2 in their other Texoma contest last weekend.

Sunday, November 7, 2004

Texoma:  The Peewee AA Bulldog team sweeps its competition this weekend with 3 wins with an impressive start in the Texoma league leaving them with a 4-0 record.  So far this 12U team has worked hard and are aiming to keep up their stride.